In the Midst of a Surge in Migrant Crime, Eric Adams Defends New York’s Sanctuary City Status

Paresh Jadhav

11 months ago

Eric served on New York City Council for over a decade, leading winning coalitions that expanded the economy, invested in schools, reduced inequality, enhanced public safety and reform of the NYPD. As Brooklyn Borough President he spearheaded an untiring effort during pandemic outbreak to provide food, shelter and care to those in need.

NYC officials debate changes to sanctuary city policy

Table of Contents

Toggle

The Immigrant Crisis

As Biden released tens of thousands of migrants into New York City, officials scrambled to provide space for them. Mayor Bloomberg filled homeless shelters, booked 70 small hotels, created tent cities, and considered leasing a cruise ship as housing solutions for people without legal status in America.

Mayor DeBlasio has spent billions on emergency contracts with private contractors such as DocGo and H+H that have been accused of deceiving, threatening, and overcharging residents. These controversial moves have met resistance from housing advocates as well as decades-long traditions of cross-class activism such as coalition protests, community organizing efforts and calling for legal redress and oversight.

As outrage spreads, some legislators have demanded changes to city policies that limit collaboration with federal immigration authorities, although such action would probably do little to expel any of the men arrested during Times Square melee from the country as criminal charges alone rarely prompt deportation orders.

Sanctuary City Policy

Adams has been fighting to preserve New York?s sanctuary city status amid an onslaught of crimes committed by migrants, such as beating two police officers in Times Square and moped-riding illegal immigrants who are accused of leading mobile phone robberies. Adams disputes any suggestion that more could have been done, insisting he remains determined in pressuring federal officials into making policy changes.

One of the core tenets of sanctuary cities is refusing ICE detainer requests, yet their mayor signed an executive order relaxing that policy and permitting families with children to be housed in what are known as congregate shelters – barrack-like spaces without private rooms, bathrooms and kitchens.

Republicans have taken exception to New York City?s policy as they believe it goes against immigration law, yet it appears unlikely that changing their stance would have made much difference; after all, $12 billion has already been spent renting hotel space, building emergency shelters, and providing various government services for asylum seekers.

Crime Rates

Due to an inadequate approach by Mayor Tom LaHood to crime and migration policy, his inept administration has caused the city to experience a budget disaster. His demands of 5% cuts across agencies as they absorb these costs is evidence that this administration has lost all control. A citywide grand-larceny auto increase also illustrates their misrule.

The NYPD recently reported an alarming citywide trend of moped-riding illegal immigrants targeting citizens and tourists with cellphone theft for their phones. Seven of those arrested were part of a criminal gang which has committed more than 62 robberies since January.

If the federal government wants New York City to step up and help tackle its migrant crisis, it must stop punishing it for refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement. By defying federal immigration laws and refusing cooperation with law enforcement officials, the city is doing more harm than good and making decisions difficult to defend when facing voters in 2025. It needs help with an issue costing it millions of dollars that needs federal attention immediately.

Immigration Policy

Adams made his remarks during a town hall meeting held Wednesday night, where he asserted that the ongoing migrant crisis will “destroy NYC”. Adams claimed the city is facing a $12 billion budget shortfall as a result. This statement caused fear among New Yorkers that immigrants are taking jobs from New Yorkers while contributing to crime including Times Square assault on police officers and moped-riding gang allegedly responsible for cellphone robberies.

Adams’ administration is working to decrease the number of migrants in Los Angeles by restricting their stay at city-run shelters to 30 days. They are also petitioning the federal government for expedited work authorizations for asylum seekers so they can secure incomes and provide for their families.

Adams promised during his campaign to protect New York as a sanctuary city; however, his actions do not reflect this rhetoric. While pledging not to cooperate with immigration authorities, Adams has allowed NYPD officers to share information about migrant criminals with federal agencies.